congaplace.com

I have used the search engine here, and found most of the info I wanted. There seems to be general agreement that the older model is much better than the CPs LP is making now. They are also compared to the present Matadors, so they were probably made of siam oak. I am interested in a 9" conga with original skins, and getting better skins would probably be an improvement. More info would be fine.
casaet

Hey Caseat! Hope you're enjoying the bata drum. I don't own a cp conga, but I was visiting my uncle and he had one. I was very surprised about the quality of the drum. I didn't spend a whole lot of time playing it, but from what I saw, it seemed like a pretty good drum.

Hi Bengon Thanks for answer. I did not manage to talk the seller into shipping the CP to Europe. But I have managed to get a sixties GB 10 1/2", same model that Mongo used, in original and very good condition. So who´s complaining. Probably best to keep to Gon Gops.
The Bata is a beauty, sounds awesome, which of course a Bata is supposed to do. And I still have a long way to go before I get the best out of it.
Casaet

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leedy2 wrote:casaet
CP or cosmic percussion is what is today the Aspira line. Not to be compared matador. Matador is a bit better made better wood more traditional sizes in drums the Aspira has off sizes in drum . For example Aspira and Cosmic came odd sizes 9 1/2 10 and 11 Matador 11,113/4 121/2 just traditional sizes

That is not correct, you are wrong.
This thread is about the original "VINTAGE" CP Congas and they are not like the current models at all.


Casaet you are correct about the older model of CPs, they are good sounding and well made drums.
I've played several of them and have always been impressed with the sound and quality.
Sometimes you can find them on craigslist or eBay. Here's one in Pasadena CA for $43.

http://cgi.ebay.com/COSMIC-CP-PERCUSSION-LP-BONGO-DRUMS-CONGA-MADE-IN-USA_W0QQitemZ360243814089QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item53e0345ec9



here's a few more photos I found on the web of old school CP Congas.

Congamyk is right, older CP models were far from being
similar to the crappy present-day cheapos.
I once owned an 11.75" fiberglass conga which was an early
Matador model manufactured by CP, and it sounded great.

Hi congamyk and mike. Thanks for fine info. There are two vintage CPs on Ebay now. The glassfiber one, and a 9" wood conga, that I have been watching. My problem is that I live in Norway, and the usual info on Ebay is: ships to the US. So I send a polite mail to the seller and asks if he will ship to me. I have managed to get two very good drums that way, but this time I got no answer. I read your posts, and then I checked Ebay. Seller will ship, and I have placed my first bid on the 9". So far no competition.
With your info on the quality of vintage CPs, I know what the drum is worth. Thanks again.
casaet

congamyk wrote:That is not correct, you are wrong.
This thread is about the original "VINTAGE" CP Congas and they are not like the current models at all.

Casaet you are correct about the older model of CPs, they are good sounding and well made drums.
I've played several of them and have always been impressed with the sound and quality.

I agree 100 %. The New line of CP's are nothing like the classic, Old School CP's which are constructed not only better but have hardware that’s as good as any Matador, the hardware is sturdy as well as heavy duty. These are pictures of my current CP's, check out the hardware, very well built. And also, the sound is very nice, yes you do not have the deep base tones of a larger drum but they are in fact good sounding drums. I have heard these with different cueros and even that gives them an improved sound. By the way, they are NOT the same size as the Aspires, they are in fact a tad bit larger. A friend of mine who owns a set of Aspires tried to replace the crown on his larger Aspire with a CP crown and it would not fit, the CP was bigger. I think that I’ve made my point so Nuff Said.

KC those are fine looking old skool CP's. That shade of red looks great.
What you said about different heads is right on too.
A Brazilian friend has a single CP quinto that same color with deer or goat head - that things SINGS SAMBA!

I have a few older CP's that definitely are not like the CP's or Aspires you find today. I have a 10" and 11" from 1993 and 10", 11" and 11.75" from 1996. All oak w/heavy hardware. Sound great! In the pic there is a 12.50 Matador (1996) with LP hearts to closer match the CP's. I couldn't find a 12.50 CP so I improvised with the Matador and quality of the CP and Matador are very similar. Very happy with these drums.

Madlatin

^ those look fantastic, would love to hear them with the new L&H skins.

Thanks Congamyk, I've been looking for something different for a while and finally realized that these drums are a really good set. The L&H skins brought life to them. I play them every chance I get now. I can't wait to re-skin the other two drums.

Does anyone here have any idea as to where to get some of the CP emblems that these congas have? Someone I know just got a set but have no CP emblem.

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Hi,

I'm wondering if anyone has seen CPs like the ones I've just picked up through Craigslist. I got what I think is a really good deal on them with a set of Meinl bongos, but I've scoured the web for days and haven't found a single picture of anything like these.

They were made in October of 1998 and they seem to be a transition between the style with the traditional rims with gold hardware and the Comfort Curve or EZ Curve style with the powder coated hardware. They're 28" tall and the widths seem to be different from the contemporary models, as well, but I'm not sure exactly what the sizes are. I've posted pics with a ruler so that you may be able to tell me what the sizes are.

The heads are stitched, which I've read is a sign that they are still among the low end models, but they look beautiful with the gold-tone hardware. They were only lightly used and to my untrained ear, these things sound really nice.

I've attached pics so that anyone else who comes across a set like this will know they're not alone. If anyone has comments or info, I'd love to hear them. Even about the bongos, which don't sound as nice to me as the congas, but that could just be because I don't know how to get a good sound out of them, yet.

Thanks!